REVIEW – Abandon by Cassia Leo

This gritty spin-off of the New York Times bestselling Shattered Hearts Series follows mysterious and sexy Tristan as he attempts to abandon his demons in the name of love.

A steady stream of meaningless sex is all Tristan has left when he discovers the grandmother who raised him is dying and his best friend is getting married. He is lost; and the dark secrets in his past keep coming back to remind him of this.

Until Tristan has an idea that will change his life and fulfill his dying grandmother’s wishes: Abandon his playboy ways and settle down.

And who better to do it with than Senia, the girl who has occupied his thoughts since their scorching hot tryst in the back of his sports car. The girl who makes him laugh and feel like a kid again.

But when his world begins to crumble around him, the pain Tristan is hiding finds its way to the surface. Will Tristan finally learn to trust again? Or will he abandon Senia when she needs him the most?

Once again, Cassia Leo has taken us on a beautiful journey where you can’t help but fall in love and feel for the characters that she gives to you. Abandon is one of those experiences that has you clutching your chest one moment and cursing out the characters the next. I really think my heart palpitated in some parts! It made me sneak into my daughter’s bedroom and kiss her goodnight again as more of Tristan’s past was revealed. Most of all though, it gives you an overwhelming sense of compassion.

Nobody should go through the things that Tristan went through, yet somehow it just made him stronger. It gave him a sense of loyalty to his true family. I love that. I was raised by my sister from the time I was twelve because my parents essentially abandoned me so I felt an immediate connection and bond with this character. The fierce protectiveness he has for Molly would probably make me ignore every single of one his bad habits/traits. Of course, that also leaves me rooting for him in all situations – even when he’s being a jackass! I loved seeing Tristan’s transformation and realizing that he needed to grow up.

That epilogue was so incredibly perfect. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. The book is amazing and definitely should be read, but especially that last paragraph. That epiphany is a lesson that every human being should learn. Thank you Cassia for giving us yet another book boyfriend to fall in love with!